Domino Theory Blog

More on Inspiration

I've made few posts lately about tapping into your own inspiration.  Noticing what triggers it, and then going with it because it's the start of creating a chain reaction. 

As I've studies chain reactions over the last several years a consistent "rule" emerges: all it takes is some inspiration and courage to get things rolling.  Sometimes it's a huge chain reaction, other times is something so small no one notices.

I came across a good post today on the topic (read full post).  The author first talks about understanding the source of inspiration, and gives the following ideas on how to tap into it more often:

The locus of control is ours.

Exactly how we inspire ourselves is an individual thing - different people do it in different ways. The great news is that we can learn how to inspire ourselves and then we can be inspired whenever we want.

Here are 5 steps to get the ball rolling:

1. Notice any experience which triggers your inspiration. Aim to repeat this experience more often.

2. Wake up your senses. Each day this week concentrate on one of your five senses - Monday 'seeing', Tuesday 'hearing', Wednesday 'touching' and so on. What do you notice that is new?

3. Search for the worthwhile meaning in what you do.

4. Throw out old uninspiring habits and create new inspiring ones.

5. Look out for what stops you being inspired. What could you do differently to avoid this?

Each of us can learn how we can be the source of our own inspiration. Instead of waiting for a random event to trigger your inspiration, you can become inspired when you choose. The skills you acquire to do this can be yours for life.

The feeling of inspiration if very powerful.  Once you get good at noticing it and working with it, then the next challenge is to find out why sometimes it ends up going nowhere.   That's often about fear and self-doubt which I have written about in the past.

Here's the key: once you get good at manifesting inspiration, then get good at seeing the world as a set of dominos and finding one to tip over.  When you tip, communicate why you tipped, and ask them to pass it on, and then check back with them (when possible) to learn how to be a more effective Toppler in the future.

Get Off Your Ass and Do Something

One of the principles of Domino Theory is that nothing happen, chain reaction or not, without you having the courage to take action.  In a domino topple it all starts with a "flick."

The title of this post was inspired by Michael Birdsong.  Michael and I worked together at Me.dium, and I always felt he was an amazing guy.  My first memory of working with Michael was running into him in the kitchen day after day - not because he was filling his coffee cup, but because he was cleaning up after everyone else and taking out the trash.  "Someone has to do it!  And, I really don't mind" he would say to me.  That gives you some idea of the kind of guy he is.  Oh, and there's this little obsession he has with Disney which is quite charming (and a little odd).

Michael does all kinds of things for other people, and he is particularly giving when it comes to all things "cancer."  Earlier this year we had a number of great conversations about Domino Theory, and at one point he said to me:

"I'm tired of people talking about doing something.  People just ned to get off their ass and do something."

Perfectly well put I thought...

Well, Michael has decided to do just that.  Actully, he's sitting on his butt quite a bit! He's peddling across country to raise money for the Hole-in-a-Wall Gang.  It's a great organization that helps kids with cancer get out of the hospital and be kids again.

He's updating his blog daily as he travels.  Right now he's almost 1/2 way.  You should read the blog to get an idea of just how much is involved in doing this kind of thing.

Wouldn't it be cool if this post started a small topple and the readers of Domino Theory each made a small donation to show him support as he pushes through the toughest part of the ride?   

If he can ride across America to help kids with cancer, why can't we take 5 mins and $25 (or more) to support him? Get off your butt, follow the link in the upper left hand corner of his blog page.

Is Your Kidney a Domino? Part 2

Back in Janurary I made a post titled "Is Your Kidney a Domino?" after receiving an email from an old business college.  Well, this weekend I received another message from him saying the last transplant didn't work out and Kelsey (18 yrs. old) is once again in need of a kidney.  Here's the text of the email I received:

Hi Folks:

If you recall, I sent you the following e-mail last Spring.  Fortunately for Kelsey, a very nice man came forward and donated one of his kidneys to her.  Unfortunately, her body rejected this kidney as well.  So...her family is now in the hunt for a third kidney.

Could you please help again? The main requirement is to be a blood type 0, be in good health, be willing to donate, and have the time and inclination to see it through. All costs are covered by Kelsey's insurance.

If you or anyone you know can help Kelsey, please e-mail Steve at rockymtngatr@yahoo.com.  Also, please forward this e-mail on to as many of your Colorado friends as possible.

A domino is something that when "tipped" creates a chain reaction.  Sometimes it's a small act, other times it's something that requires the toppler to be very courageous. For topplers like me it's also important to remember that there are dominos setup all around us ready to be tipped.  So, I write this post wondering if it will somehow make a difference...